I have an opportunity to buy a solid 60 stude, but I would like to swap frt clips to the desirable 53/4. has anyone done it and what all is needed from a donor to complete the job. thanks to all with knowledge.
Should have no problem doing the swap. Just need that whole front for the swap. Fenders are the radiator support. The fenders that you have can work with some modification cutting down the supports and filling some holes. We have a 56 fender and a 61 fender on this 54.
I have some concerns about the radiator and its mounting. all the pics I've seen show a rad sitting real high on the 60, got to be much lower on the 53. i'm guessing the 53/4 latching mechanism is required along with a shorter radiator and the obvious need for the 53 grilles
Yup. I'd spend a little time on the SDC forum, & probably the racingstudebakers forum too. Should be able to get the low-down-n-dirty swap details there. It's bolt-on. As mentioned, the entire clip would be nice. But you can piece it together. IIRC, some '55 pieces will work too. Do you have the 53/54 front clip or needed pieces yet? Grilles are abit expensive. I might be able to help, but Minn makes for a rather long roadtrip, esp in winter. Does make for a nice lookin' 'bird. Marcus...
Mr. - Your best bet...buy a "complete" 53/54 car !!! This way, you'll have ALL...of the nuts, bolts, clips, panels, etc., etc. Otherwise, it'll be a pain in the butt in the long run. Damn, I'm missing, this, or that, I forgot that little panel...etc. Mike
My cousin bought a 53 Stude that someone put a 60 front end on, so it was the opposite of what you want to do. This was in 1966, and the car had a 364 cu.in. Buick in it. I guess it was done to give it some more under hood space. Whoever did it, did a nice job and it looked correct. It didn't look like anything was fabricated.
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